Affidavits for approved applications and next ceremony

[james2005]

In the lights of prolongation of Level 5 lockdown, I have a feeling that if the COVID restrictions are not lifted after the initial 4000 applications are completed, these new arrangements will be applied to the current and future applications well beyond 31 of May.

I have the same feeling.

[kalyna]

Hi congratulations to everyone
Me too I got email today .

"The Witness must be resident in
the State"


I am from Belfast Northern Ireland.
Should I go to Ireland to find witness ?
Help me please.
Thank you

I live in NI and going to go to the same solicitor who witnessed documents and statutory declaration for my application. Seems reasonable enough, I wouldn't worry about it

"Thank you for your email. Please note that the State refers to the Republic
of Ireland and not the island of Ireland"

Thanks for sharing. Seems a bit unfair considering that both countries are in lockdown and traveling to Ireland to witness a signature wouldn't be considered as an essential travel. On top of that for non-EU nationalities an Irish visa is required for visiting Ireland and they don't issue tourist visas at the moment. I have posted my declaration yesterday, will see what is comes back with.

[happygolucky1]

I think this temporary arrangement is not only for those who are approved early last year and could not be invited to the ceremony but also covers applicants who are in 'final processing stage' once the 'ceremony ready' are dealt with. I had read that in the news, link below

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social- ... -1.4461171

''The department announced on Monday that 4,000 of those who are “ceremony ready” or in the “final processing stages” would be able to complete the naturalisation process before the end of March by signing a “statutory declaration of loyalty” rather than attending a citizenship ceremony''

what do you think folks, Is my understanding correct ?

[nojoyfrominis]

My understanding is it is for approved and some waiting to be approved as well. They are saying that fee needs to be paid along with submitting the declaration while most people who are approved would have paid the fee within 10 days of approval

[Mimi2016]

Hi congratulations to everyone
Me too I got email today .

"The Witness must be resident in
the State"


I am from Belfast Northern Ireland.
Should I go to Ireland to find witness ?
Help me please.
Thank you

I live in NI and going to go to the same solicitor who witnessed documents and statutory declaration for my application. Seems reasonable enough, I wouldn't worry about it

"Thank you for your email. Please note that the State refers to the Republic
of Ireland and not the island of Ireland"

Thanks for sharing. Seems a bit unfair considering that both countries are in lockdown and traveling to Ireland to witness a signature wouldn't be considered as an essential travel. On top of that for non-EU nationalities an Irish visa is required for visiting Ireland and they don't issue tourist visas at the moment. I have posted my declaration yesterday, will see what is comes back with.

Please tell me when you hear something. Me too I am in London and I can't travel to Ireland.

[Vorona]

My understanding is it is for approved and some waiting to be approved as well. They are saying that fee needs to be paid along with submitting the declaration while most people who are approved would have paid the fee within 10 days of approval

Just a formality. They must put it in writing that a fee must be paid if applicant wants to get a certificate of Irish citizenship.

950 euro is a big expense. Especially when there are several applicants in the same family.
With COVID making a lot of people unemployed or working part-time, I won't be surprised if many applicants haven't been able to pay the fee yet.

[Stanina]

In the lights of prolongation of Level 5 lockdown, I have a feeling that if the COVID restrictions are not lifted after the initial 4000 applications are completed, these new arrangements will be applied to the current and future applications well beyond 31 of May.

I have the same feeling.

I am more pessimistic. I think the will wait for vaccinations to complete prior to planned ceremony in December, closer to December if it will not happen same story with affidavit will repeat.
I don't see benefit for them to keep affidavit, covid19 is good excuse for delays. Also Killirney had paid for ceremony to happen in their town, so they will try to do ceremony.
I really hope to be wrong though.

[Vorona]

I am more pessimistic. I think the will wait for vaccinations to complete prior to planned ceremony in December, closer to December if it will not happen same story with affidavit will repeat.
I don't see benefit for them to keep affidavit, covid19 is good excuse for delays. Also Killirney had paid for ceremony to happen in their town, so they will try to do ceremony.
I really hope to be wrong though.

By having the new temporary legislation the State is still getting large sums of money while saving on the cost that would normally occur when holding large official ceremonies.

[Stanina]

By having the new temporary legislation the State is still getting large sums of money while saving on the cost that would normally occur when holding large official ceremonies.

then they would not put hard stop at may and possible next ceremony at December. Just looking at virtual ceremony example(2mnth to prer trial, 2 mnth post trial decision), shows that department is only flexible to some extend.

[anongirl]

So I take it nobody has received affidavits this week? They hardly got through 4000 emails all last week

[Stanina]

So I take it nobody has received affidavits this week? They hardly got through 4000 emails all last week

In RTE link I shared, Minister said that around 1100 will be receive affidavit in few weeks. I think after they do most processing for those they will send to another batch.

[alhakeem]

In RTE link I shared, Minister said that around 1100 will be receive affidavit in few weeks. I think after they do most processing for those they will send to another batch.

1100 in weeks? What processing are you talking about?Suppose you are working alone, how many application,how many application will you finish each day?

[hdsgnr]

In RTE link I shared, Minister said that around 1100 will be receive affidavit in few weeks. I think after they do most processing for those they will send to another batch.

1100 in weeks? What processing are you talking about?Suppose you are working alone, how many application,how many application will you finish each day?

What are you talking about?

[Stanina]

In RTE link I shared, Minister said that around 1100 will be receive affidavit in few weeks. I think after they do most processing for those they will send to another batch.

1100 in weeks? What processing are you talking about?Suppose you are working alone, how many application,how many application will you finish each day?

What are you talking about?

I refer to RTE video I shared in this thread were minister said around 2min "In coming weeks, only this week alone 1100 will receive email with..."

[hdsgnr]

My question was pointed to the Gentlemen/Lady above me.

[alhakeem]

What are you talking about?

I am just surprised, I think if you are working alone you can send 1100 of these emails or whatever, in 3 days, don't you?!

[Vorona]

then they would not put hard stop at may and possible next ceremony at December. Just looking at virtual ceremony example(2mnth to prer trial, 2 mnth post trial decision), shows that department is only flexible to some extend.

I think that we won't see any proper ceremonies this year. The risk to the public health is just too great.

[hdsgnr]

What are you talking about?

I am just surprised, I think if you are working alone you can send 1100 of these emails or whatever, in 3 days, don't you?!

They sent 1100 e-mails because there is a 6 week (soft) deadline to finish them. Which means they will have to give time to 1100 people to prepare and send the documents (some will be delayed for sure), then check if all of them are proper, order 1100 certificates and send them to the new citizens. That is not a small operation, these are not Christmas cards after all.
If they sent all of the emails together - in 6 weeks... what I'm talking - probably in a week 4000 people will ask where are their certs.

[vandalsl]

Check your emails, my affidavit just came in

[ssireland]

Just received Affidavit form email from Citizenship Division.

Application approved October 2020, paid the fees in November

"This letter does not constitute a grant of a Certificate of Naturalisation
or permission to enter or remain in the State.

I refer to your application for a Certificate of Naturalisation. As
previously advised The Minister proposes to grant your application for
naturalisation, subject to the completion and submission of the Declaration
of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State."

[vandalsl]

Just received Affidavit form email from Citizenship Division.

Application approved October 2020, paid the fees in November

My timeline is the same, got my approval letter late October 2020

[iamok]

Do your emails have the correct application reference number in them? Just received an email to send the signed declaration but the application reference number in the email is incorrect. Haven't received the approval letter before as well.

[Vorona]

Do your emails have the correct application reference number in them? Just received an email to send the signed declaration but the application reference number in the email is incorrect. Haven't received the approval letter before as well.

Better email them and ask. It could be a mistake and this email was sent to the wrong email address. You must receive approval letter first saying that the Minister proposed to grant you a certificate of naturalisation.

[iamok]

Do your emails have the correct application reference number in them? Just received an email to send the signed declaration but the application reference number in the email is incorrect. Haven't received the approval letter before as well.

Better email them and ask. It could be a mistake and this email was sent to the wrong email address. You must receive approval letter first saying that the Minister proposed to grant you a certificate of naturalisation.

Yes, already emailed them as soon as I saw the email. But was just wondering if everyone else's emails has the correct reference (could be a copy-paste error?). I was also thinking that the approval letter could have gotten lost in the post since the application is pending for over 3 years and we have changed houses in between (although we did update our address with them but you never know!). Anyway, lets see what response comes back.

[hdsgnr]

There was no reference number or even a name in mine. It was very generic, just asking me to send declaration and documents.
My email came on the first day and maybe they changed their approach for the next ones.